Volkswagen has announced it will build its own new-generation Amarok for South America from 2027, independent of commercial-vehicle partner Ford.
The current Amarok sold in New Zealand and various global markets is heavily based on the Ford Ranger, and built in South Africa by Ford. VW's latest Transporter is also based on the Ford Transit.
But it's not the end of the love affair. VW says the "existing partnerships for the production of the Amarok in South Africa will remain in place. It will continue to ensure a reliable supply of vehicles to international markets – while simultaneously pursuing a locally based product strategy tailored to the needs of the Latin American market."
So no, it really doesn't want want to say the F-word. But the new plan makes a lot more sense when you realise that the Pacheo plant in Argentina has been producing the first-generation Amarok since 2009 - and still does, for South America and other markets including Russia and Eastern Europe.
VW is investing U$580m in the plant to produce the new ute, which will still be a mid-sized pickup truck and still called Amarok.
It hasn't revealed whether it will be a heavily updated version of the existing platform or an all-new base, but it has stated an intention to be "the global technology leader among volume manufacturers by 2030. A key component of this will be expanding the brand’s position in regional markets and developing market-specific product solutions."
Marcellus Puig, president and CEO of VW Argentina: “The Amarok has been a symbol of Volkswagen's strength in Argentina. It is a key element of the brand's history in the country, an essential part of our present, and will continue to be so in the future. This new model will combine Volkswagen's design and DNA — backed by 15 years of experience and more than 770,000 Amarok’s proudly produced at our Pacheco plant — with cutting-edge software and advanced technology, resulting in a disruptive and competitive product for the modern market.”